Just as an update on this. I can report that the application has been withdrawn so any building threat to the moss has been averted (for now).
Can I just give a massive thank you to everyone who lodged an objection to this.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 17 10:09 AM, 2014
As the deadline for objections to this application has now passed; can I just give a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to email or post in their objections to this application.
The final decision is not due until August so its in the lap of the gods now as they say.
James Walsh said
Mon Jun 16 12:54 PM, 2014
Email sent, if anyone wants to use the same words, please feel free to cut & paste all the text (apart my name lol) :)
Mr S J Normington Economy Director for Development Wigan Council Town Hall Library Street Wigan WN1 1N
Dear Mr Normington,
I am writing to you to object to the proposals of Lancashire Aero Club, to construct on greenbelt land adjacent to Highfield Moss, a SSSI, as any increase in air traffic could be catastrophic for the bird life
We, as a nation, currently have only 3% of our remaining lowland mosslands and we should be doing everything we can to conserve them for us and future generations
Highfield Moss hosts many of our rare and declining farmland species - I refer you to the RSPB State of Nature Report for further details of why we need to do all we can to prevent further losses to these species population
There must be far more constructive projects that could take place in this area than an increase in air traffic
Yours sincerely,
James Walsh Save Our Mosses Campaign Group Manchester Ship Canal World Heritage Group
James Walsh said
Mon Jun 16 12:36 PM, 2014
I have seen plenty ecological survey reports where the surveys have been done at times of year where they won't find much, probably on purpose
I'll email my objection today - I know what it's like to be campaigning to save a site
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Jun 11 5:31 PM, 2014
Mike Chorley wrote:
A friend of mine went freelance from a job training people to do surveys like this because there was always commercial pressure to find what the client wanted.
That's why I'm always a bit suspicious of these reports and surveys. It depends who they've been commissioned by.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Jun 11 4:48 PM, 2014
A friend of mine went freelance from a job training people to do surveys like this because there was always commercial pressure to find what the client wanted.
Simon Gough said
Wed Jun 11 2:58 PM, 2014
I was wondering if you thought the population of birds will be similar in 2014 as opposed to then too. But I agree that a conclusion that no real damage will be done appears counter-intuitive.
Nick Isherwood said
Wed Jun 11 2:29 PM, 2014
Simon Gough wrote:
From the link provided I read the ecological report prepared for the council (in 2011!). What do people make of the conclusions? It didn't paint a truly horrible picture as I read it.
I'm always a bit dubious of these reports to be truthful. Whichever way you look at it any development or increased activity on there will have a detrimental effect.
Simon Gough said
Wed Jun 11 9:32 AM, 2014
From the link provided I read the ecological report prepared for the council (in 2011!). What do people make of the conclusions? It didn't paint a truly horrible picture as I read it.
Jim Caulfield said
Wed Jun 11 7:09 AM, 2014
hi Nick,
E-mail sent, thanks for the reminder.
Paul Richardson said
Tue Jun 10 10:27 PM, 2014
Hi Nick
e-mail duly sent.
Thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention. It's a special little patch = you don't need telling that!!
Paul
Mark Burgess said
Tue Jun 10 9:17 PM, 2014
Hi Nick,
Letter (email) of objection to the proposed building application sent, Hopefully a few more will add some weight to the objection.
Steve Scrimgeour said
Tue Jun 10 7:52 PM, 2014
Nick, Email being drafted as we speak,not a site I know , But having read your posts with interest one I will be visiting...
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 10 7:06 PM, 2014
Just to update this post, you can object to this application in one of two ways.
By letter sent to:
Mr S J Normington Economy Director for Development Wigan Council Town Hall Library Street Wigan WN1 1N
Or by email to:
planningrepresentations@wigan.gov.uk
Please address your emails to Mr Normington as above and quote the reference for the application which is A/14/79296.
The closing date for objections is 16th June.
Many thanks.
Nick Isherwood said
Tue Jun 10 6:24 PM, 2014
This post has had a hundred views now and not one response.
Should I be surprised by this?
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Jun 7 2:46 PM, 2014
Highfield Moss is a SSSI site situated in the south western corner of our county and visitors to the site will be aware that it is bordered on its eastern side by an airstrip.
This airstrip is used by Lancashire Aero Club and due to restrictions it can only be used for 28 days in a year. They have however recently submitted a planning application to construct a Control Room and car park with access road by the side of the airstrip. The location of this will be approximately 30 metres from the border of Highfield Moss.
Currently the airstrip is very under-used but the thinking behind this is that if they are granted this application it will then give them the ability to apply for all year round flying from this site. Apart from the construction here in this green belt site any increase in air traffic here could be catastrophic for any bird life at this site.
Can I please ask that anyone who feels strongly about this sends in a letter of objection. The closure date is for 13th June 2014. Here is a link to the application.
Can I just give a massive thank you to everyone who lodged an objection to this.
The final decision is not due until August so its in the lap of the gods now as they say.
Mr S J Normington
Economy Director for Development
Wigan Council
Town Hall
Library Street
Wigan
WN1 1N
Dear Mr Normington,
I am writing to you to object to the proposals of Lancashire Aero Club, to construct on greenbelt land adjacent to Highfield Moss, a SSSI, as any increase in air traffic could be catastrophic for the bird life
We, as a nation, currently have only 3% of our remaining lowland mosslands and we should be doing everything we can to conserve them for us and future generations
Highfield Moss hosts many of our rare and declining farmland species - I refer you to the RSPB State of Nature Report for further details of why we need to do all we can to prevent further losses to these species population
There must be far more constructive projects that could take place in this area than an increase in air traffic
Yours sincerely,
James Walsh
Save Our Mosses Campaign Group
Manchester Ship Canal World Heritage Group
I'll email my objection today - I know what it's like to be campaigning to save a site
That's why I'm always a bit suspicious of these reports and surveys. It depends who they've been commissioned by.
I'm always a bit dubious of these reports to be truthful. Whichever way you look at it any development or increased activity on there will have a detrimental effect.
E-mail sent, thanks for the reminder.
e-mail duly sent.
Thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention. It's a special little patch = you don't need telling that!!
Paul
Letter (email) of objection to the proposed building application sent, Hopefully a few more will add some weight to the objection.
Email being drafted as we speak,not a site I know ,
But having read your posts with interest one I will be visiting...
By letter sent to:
Mr S J Normington
Economy Director for Development
Wigan Council
Town Hall
Library Street
Wigan
WN1 1N
Or by email to:
planningrepresentations@wigan.gov.uk
Please address your emails to Mr Normington as above and quote the reference for the application which is A/14/79296.
The closing date for objections is 16th June.
Many thanks.
Should I be surprised by this?
This airstrip is used by Lancashire Aero Club and due to restrictions it can only be used for 28 days in a year. They have however recently submitted a planning application to construct a Control Room and car park with access road by the side of the airstrip. The location of this will be approximately 30 metres from the border of Highfield Moss.
Currently the airstrip is very under-used but the thinking behind this is that if they are granted this application it will then give them the ability to apply for all year round flying from this site. Apart from the construction here in this green belt site any increase in air traffic here could be catastrophic for any bird life at this site.
Can I please ask that anyone who feels strongly about this sends in a letter of objection. The closure date is for 13th June 2014. Here is a link to the application.
Lancs Aero Club Planning Application